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Karingal Green aged care facility to be built in High Wycombe

PLANS for a new aged care facility have been announced in the High Wycombe area by providers, Hall & Prior.

The buildings are expected to be completed in late 2019.

The same day last week the State Government also announced that Wilkins Road in Kalamunda had been rezoned as a potential aged care accommodation site.

Planning Minister Donna Faragher said the Government supported the rezoning of 11ha in Kalamunda from parks and recreation to urban through an amendment to the Metropolitan Region Scheme.

Mrs Faragher said public submissions had been carefully considered, including environmental and bushfire management concerns, and approval was given on the recommendation of the WA Planning Commission.

Potential risks were considered by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, which approved a fire management plan.

In High Wycombe the Karingal Green Residential Aged Care Facility will be built by Hall & Prior, who expect to spend $67 million on the project.

Hall & Prior chief executive Graeme Prior is set to appoint a builder later this year.

The Federal Government has contributed $12 million towards the project and said the money would be paid back at zero interest.

Other funding includes a loan of $37 million from the National Australia Bank and an anonymous donor who gave $13 million.

Mr Prior said the residential care service would cater for high-dependency residents, as well as other care alternatives.

“A specialist dementia care program will be run from one part of the facility,” he said.

“In addition, Karingal Green will include a residential wing of eight beds specifically for the care and lifestyle needs of younger residents, aged 60 or under, who require 24/7 care support, but currently have limited ability to access these services in the Perth Eastern Metropolitan region.”

The building will be constructed opposite the Gladys Newton Reserve.

Kalamunda MLA and Health Minister John Day said he expected the Karingal centre would generate up to 250 jobs.

“More importantly, rezoning the 11ha site in Wilkins Road, Kalamunda, to allow for aged care… allows for environmental and bushfire management issues, which largely explains why the process has taken longer than expected.

“The Shire of Kalamunda can now move towards finalising plans for the site, and the engagement of an aged care provider.

“I will work with the shire to assist as necessary. I expect that a significant part of the vegetation will be retained following detailed planning and design development.”